ASIC Annual Forum 2026
Program schedule
9.00 am to 9.05 am
Official welcome
9.05 am to 9.10 am
Welcome to Country
9.10 am to 9.20 am
Opening address
Sarah Court, Chair, ASIC
9.20 am to 10.00 am
Keynote
The Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer of Australia
10.00 am to 11.00 am
Plenary 1: State of the Economy – the waves of change
Australia’s economy is being reshaped by rapid technological change, evolving markets, geopolitical uncertainty and continuing financial pressure on households and businesses. This session will examine the economic forces and structural shifts influencing consumers, business, government and Australia’s future prosperity.
The panel will explore how Australia can navigate these waves of change, build confidence and create the conditions for sustainable growth. It will also consider the implications for productivity, investment and the resilience of Australia’s economic and financial system.
Sarah Court, Chair, ASIC
Michele Bullock, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia
Danielle Wood, Chair, Productivity Commission
Leah Weckert, CEO and Managing Director, Coles Group
11.00 am to 11.30 am
Morning break
11.30 am to 12.20 pm
Plenary 2: The human face of global disruption
This session will examine the experience of real people through world disruption, and how well Australia and, in particular, its economic and financial regulators respond to major shocks that test market integrity, investor confidence and consumer trust.
Drawing on events such as the Global Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, this session will examine the human impact of economic and financial shocks, and how governments, regulators and institutions respond during periods of disruption.
Alan Kirkland, Commissioner, ASIC
Professor Brendan Murphy AC, Chair, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood
Chandni Gupta, Deputy CEO and Digital Policy Director, Consumer Policy Research Centre
Dr John Coyne, Director, National Security Program, ASPI
12.20 pm to 12.50 pm
AI and innovation – Fireside chat
This keynote will introduce the AI and innovation themed plenaries of the afternoon.
Theo Hourmouzis, General Manager of Australia and New Zealand, Anthropic
12.50 pm to 1.50 pm
Lunch
1.50 pm to 2.40 pm
Plenary 3: Unlocking responsible innovation
Innovation is reshaping how Australians access financial products and services, from new digital channels and data-driven business models to emerging products and services that can broaden participation for consumers, investors and small businesses. This session will discuss how innovation can deliver genuine benefits, improve access and support competition, while maintaining confidence in the financial system.
The panel will explore the conditions that allow responsible innovation to flourish, including the role of clear expectations, regulatory engagement and support for innovation. It will also consider how regulatory safeguards can keep pace with new products, services, technologies and distribution models.
Kate O’Rourke, Commissioner, ASIC
Matt Baxby, CEO, Revolut Bank Australia
Colin Payne, Head of Innovation, Financial Conduct Authority
2.40 pm to 3.30 pm
Plenary 4: The future shape of markets
Structural, operational and technological change is reshaping how markets function, compete and serve participants and investors. This session will examine the implications of developments in digital assets, changing patterns of retail participation, AI, and the growing interconnection of Australian and global markets.
The panel will explore where market innovation is delivering clear benefits, the barriers that may be holding back progress and the conditions needed to support investment, competition and responsible innovation. It will consider how Australia’s markets can remain resilient, trusted and relevant in a rapidly changing global environment.
Simone Constant, Commissioner, ASIC
Anthony Attia, CEO, ASX
Nick Hughes, Co-Head and Group Country Operating Officer Australia and New Zealand, UBS
Alex Vynokur, CEO, Betashares
3.30 pm to 4.00 pm
Afternoon break
Elective A
The role of codes in improving consumer protection
Industry codes of conduct play an important part in how financial products and services and credit activities are regulated in Australia. Where well designed, they deliver real benefits to both consumers and code subscribers. This session will examine where codes can raise industry standards and improve outcomes for consumers.
The panel will explore the importance of enforceability, effective governance and the role of code governance bodies. It will also consider ASIC’s role in approving codes and the conditions needed for codes to maintain the confidence of the Australian community.
Speakers:
Alan Kirkland, Commissioner, ASIC
Nadia Harrison, CEO, Mortgage Stress Victoria
David Locke, CEO and Chief Ombudsman, AFCA
Angela MacMillan, Group Customer Advocate, Commonwealth Bank
Elective B
Professional services: building strong foundations
Professional services firms play a central role in building and maintaining trust in Australia’s financial system. Auditors, lawyers and consultants provide independent judgement and have responsibilities that support market integrity, corporate transparency and informed investor decision-making.
As waves of change reshape markets, financial services and the way firms advise clients, the importance of integrity in professional services is increasing as it provides the strong foundation for successful innovation. This panel will explore how trust can be earned and maintained in a complex environment, what high standards of governance look like, and whether current regulatory tools remain fit for purpose.
Speakers:
Kate O’Rourke, Commissioner, ASIC
Ilana Atlas AO, Chair, Scentre Group
Peter Achterstraat AM, NSW Productivity and Equality Commissioner
Edmund Tadros, Professional Services Editor, Australian Financial Review
Elective C
Financial advice – preparing for the future
Access to quality financial advice can help investors make informed decisions and build and protect their financial wellbeing. This session will examine the current state of the advice sector, including whether standards and consumer outcomes have improved, and where significant challenges remain.
The panel will explore new advice models being developed by licensees, including digital offerings alongside traditional human advice. It will also consider where consumers seek guidance, how trusted sources can be strengthened and what responsible innovation could mean for the future accessibility and delivery of advice.
Speakers:
Leah Sciacca, SEL, Financial Advisers and Investment Management, ASIC
Daniel Shrimski, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Vanguard Australia
Xavier O’Halloran, CEO, Super Consumers Australia
Marisa Broome, Managing Director, Wealthadvice
5.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Registration and pre-dinner drinks
6.30 pm to 9.30 pm
ASIC Annual Dinner
Alastair Campbell, Writer, Podcaster, Communicator, Strategist
8.55 am to 9.00 am
WELCOME TO DAY 2
9.00 am to 9.40 am
Virtual Keynote + Q&A
Martin Wolf CBE, Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times London
9.40 am to 10.00 am
Plenary 5: Enforcement priorities
In this session, the Chair will outline ASIC’s enforcement priorities for 2027.
Sarah Court, Chair, ASIC
10.00 am to 11.00 am
Plenary 6: Meet the regulators
Australia’s financial regulators play important roles in protecting consumers, supporting businesses and maintaining trust and confidence in markets. As the economy changes and risks increasingly cross traditional regulatory boundaries, effective regulation requires strong coordination.
This session will explore how Australia’s regulators operate separately and in alignment, how they work together where their responsibilities intersect, and the challenges and opportunities they see on the horizon. The panel will consider where coordinated action can deliver better outcomes for consumers, businesses and markets.
Sarah Court, Chair, ASIC
John Lonsdale, Chair, APRA
Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Chair, ACCC
Brendan Thomas, CEO, AUSTRAC
11.00 am to 11.30 am
Morning break
11.30 am to 12.00 pm
Fireside chat
Dr Ruth Higgins SC, Solicitor-General of Australia
12.00 pm to 1.00 pm
Plenary 7: Supporting resilient, effective and innovative operations
As Australia’s critical infrastructure and essential services become more interconnected and technology-dependent, operational resilience is increasingly important to maintaining trust and continuity. Following opening reflections on resilience from Christine Holman, the session will examine how organisations can anticipate, withstand and recover from disruption.
The panel will consider the importance of strong governance, organisational capability and effective risk management in preparing for emerging threats. It will also explore how organisations can adapt to a rapidly changing operating environment and innovate responsibly, while continuing to deliver the services on which Australians and the economy depend.
Simone Constant, Commissioner, ASIC
Christine Holman, Non-Executive Director
Hamish Hansford, Head of National Security, Department of Home Affairs
Craig Drummond, Chair, Transurban
Dr Jack R Dan, Chief Strategy Officer, CDC Data Centres
1.00pm to 2.00pm
Lunch
2.00 pm to 2.50 pm
Plenary 8: Discussion in the Boardroom – a director’s perspective
This session will explore how directors are challenging their organisations to respond to a more volatile operating environment, with geopolitical uncertainty, more frequent extreme weather events, AI and automation, and cost-of-living pressures. It will consider how these conditions are reshaping the role of boards in overseeing conduct, governance and crisis preparedness.
The panel will discuss what strong board leadership looks like in times of stress, including how directors test management assumptions, maintain trust with customers and the market, and support accountability and high standards of governance.
Kate O’Rourke, Commissioner, ASIC
Paul O’Malley, Chair, Commonwealth Bank
Naomi Edwards, Chair, Australian Institute of Company Directors
Rebecca Maslen-Stannage, Chair and Senior Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
2.50 pm to 3.50 pm
Plenary 9: Private markets - growth, opportunity and risk
Private markets are a growing part of the financial system funding and investment mix. This session will examine the forces shaping private markets, with a focus on private credit.
The panel will explore the potential benefits and risks associated with these developments, including issues related to transparency, valuation, liquidity, conflicts of interest and retail investor exposure.
Simone Constant, Commissioner, ASIC
Mike Dorrell, CEO, Stonepeak
Richard Brandweiner, CIO, Future Fund
3.50 pm to 4.40 pm
Plenary 10: A focus on productivity
The Australian Government has made lifting productivity a key priority, with government, regulators and business each contributing to the conditions for sustainable growth. This session will examine the work underway and how clearer, simpler and more effective regulation can support investment, innovation and commercial confidence.
The panel will consider how regulation can address the right risks at the right time, reduce unnecessary friction and make it easier for responsible businesses to comply. It will also explore how these objectives can be pursued while maintaining strong protections for consumers and confidence in Australia’s markets and financial system.
Sarah Court, Chair, ASIC
Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Treasury
Andrew Irvine, CEO and Managing Director, NAB
4.40 pm to 4.45 pm
Closing remarks
Sarah Court, Chair, ASIC
The program is subject to change, without notice.